Utah County man arrested on suspicion of ch..

Police • Victims' father retaliated by giving suspect a beating, according to Santaquin police.

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A 22-year-old Utah County man was arrested Saturday on suspicion of sexually abusing two young nieces.

According to a Santaquin police report, officers were initially contacted by a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints bishop who wanted to speak to officers at the police department. The officer found the suspect at the police station, with a swollen, black eye — apparently inflicted by the alleged victims' father after learning of the accusations.

According to the police report, the LDS bishop was called after the assault took place at the 22-year-old man's home. He then took the suspect to the police station for questioning.

Officers also interviewed the parents of the two alleged victims, who told officials the uncle had kissed their 11-year-old daughter and had her place her hands down his pants, and that he had touched the genitals of their 9-year-old daughter.

According to the police report, the suspect allegedly admitted to the allegations.

Jessica Miller

Utah County man arrested on suspicion of child sex abuse